Current Giveaways

Author Assistant Services

Are you an author in need of help and looking for an assistant on a full-time, part-time, or as-needed basis? Well, then I'm your gal! Learn more about the services I provide HERE.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Guest Post & Giveaway from Vinspire Publishing

I'm thrilled to be helping Vinspire Publishing celebrate their Young Adult titles this month by hosting one of their authors for a guest post and giveaway...

Writing Young Adult

by Pamela Woods-Jackson

Young Adult novels have gained popularity over the last few years, and rightly so. A number of classics have emerged in this genre, including the Twilight series, the Hunger Games series, and even Harry Potter, whichappealed to teens and adults alike. Many writers are trying their hand at Young Adult, hoping to be the next Stephenie Meyer or Suzanne Collins and land on a best-seller list.

So far I’ve had two of my YA books published, including Genius Summer (Nov. 2014). I write in that genre because I’m a former high school English teacher and I have a pretty good idea of what teens will read. They want a relatable main character (preferably female, but guys read these books, too), and they want the character to be in familiar settings with supporting characters they might actually know, and to see the kids find solutions to their own problems. If the story is sci-fi or dystopian, the science must be accurate and believable. If a writer makes up unrealistic facts or situations for plot purposes, trust me that the teen readers will notice and call the author on it, which of course means they won’t recommend it to their friends. And be careful about the slang. It changes constantly, and using too much of what’s current will inevitably date your story.

Anyone currently writing or planning to start writing in this genre needs to first get to know their target audience. Talk to teens, visit a middle or high school, read book reviews written by teens, or just hang out someplace where teens gather and then eavesdrop. It will be enlightening, and possibly help you get a handle on your characters.

Pamela Woods-Jackson is a former high school English teacher and author of Confessions of a Teenage Psychic (The Wild Rose Press, 2010), which was a 2011 Epic Ebook Contest finalist and received Honorable Mention in the 2013 Hollywood Book Festival contest. I am also the author of New Adult novel Certainly Sensible (Champagne Books, 2011). Her debut novel with Vinspire Publishing, Genius Summer, received Honorable Mention in the 2013 Pacific Northwest Writers Contest and was a 2013 Finalist in the San Francisco Writers Contest.

Everyone who comments will be entered to win 5 of Vinspire Publishing’s young adult titles (their choice) and a $10 Amazon gift card.

giveaway details

-to enter, just comment below & include a way for Vinspire Publishing to contact you if you win

-the winner will be drawn on Dec. 9th

-this giveaway is sponsored by Vinspire Publishing and NOT run by Word Spelunking

You can see the full list of blogs Vinspire Publishing will be visiting this month to celebrate their YA titles HERE. Everyone who comments at each blog stop will be entered to win a Kindle Paperwhite!

Search This Blog

Connect With Me

Follow by Email

Welcome

Welcome to my little square on the disco dance floor of life! It's good to have you here. Come in and dance a little boogie, shake your little booty, and get ready to talk books! My name is Aeicha and I'm a proud Supernatural and Harry Potter fangirl, and my literary soulmate is Lauren Myracle. Please email, tweet, or Facebook me (visit my Contact Me page to learn how) with any questions, thoughts, concerns, rambles, delicious cupcake, recipes.If you have a book you'd like me to review please visit my Review Policy page to learn more. I'm always interested in participating in blog tours, hosting giveaways, or conducting author and/or character interviews.

The Most Awesome People in the World: Followers

Page Views

Join the Word Spelunking side...we have Cupcakes!

My Rating System

Five Cupcakes:

I absolutely loved this book! It's the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the squirrel's nuts. It's the double chocolate, frosting smothered, sprinkle covered homemade cupcake on top of the cupcake tower that you crave. You MUST read this book.

Four Cupcakes:

This book is awesome! It's the pretty store bought cupcake that's almost as good as your mom's. You really should read this book.

Three Cupcakes:

This book is very good! It's the cupcake you don't mind eating, but it isn't your favorite. Read it if you have the chance.

Two Cupcakes:

This book failed to impress me. If I were on a plane and had to choose between reading this book and listening to the person next to me talk about their spoon collection, I'd go with the spoons. This is more of a bran muffin than a cupcake. Read it if you want.

One Cupcake:

No amount of frosting or sprinkles could save this cupcake. I don't recommend reading this book.